U.S. patent application number 12/901732 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-03 for counter mounted dispensing system.
Invention is credited to Nick E. Ciavarella, David D. Hayes, Mark E. Rosenkranz.
Application Number | 20110024447 12/901732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37678125 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110024447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ciavarella; Nick E. ; et
al. |
February 3, 2011 |
COUNTER MOUNTED DISPENSING SYSTEM
Abstract
A combination product container and pump includes a product
container including a neck providing an open top, and a lug
proximate a base of the neck. A pump is fitted within the open top
and includes a piston. A cap provides a piston aperture and secures
the pump to the container. The piston of the pump extends through
the piston aperture. A dispensing tube port is offset from the
piston. A collar key is fitted over the cap. The collar key
includes an actuator aperture, and the piston extends through the
actuator aperture. The collar key further includes a dispensing
tube slot, and the dispensing tube port extends through the
dispensing tube slot. The collar key also includes a notch that is
circumferentially offset from the dispensing tube slot, the notch
being fitted over the lug of the product container such that the
dispensing tube slot and the dispensing tube port must occupy a
particular orientation with respect to the lug.
Inventors: |
Ciavarella; Nick E.; (Seven
Hills, OH) ; Rosenkranz; Mark E.; (Parma, OH)
; Hayes; David D.; (Wooster, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER KENNER GREIVE BOBAK TAYLOR & WEBER
FIRST NATIONAL TOWER, SUITE 400, 106 SOUTH MAIN STREET
AKRON
OH
44308-1412
US
|
Family ID: |
37678125 |
Appl. No.: |
12/901732 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11188266 |
Jul 25, 2005 |
7815074 |
|
|
12901732 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/1 ;
222/153.09; 222/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 5/12 20130101; A47K
2005/1218 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/1 ; 222/251;
222/153.09 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/54 20060101
B65D088/54 |
Claims
1. A combination product container and pump comprising: a product
container including: a neck providing an open top, and a lug
proximate a base of said neck; a pump fitted within said open top
and having a piston; a cap providing a piston aperture and securing
said pump to said container, said piston extending through said
piston aperture; a dispensing tube port offset from said piston;
and a collar key fitted over said cap, said collar key including:
an actuator aperture, said piston extending through said actuator
aperture, a dispensing tube slot, said dispensing tube port
extending through said dispensing tube slot, and a notch
circumferentially offset from said dispensing tube slot, said notch
being fitted over said lug of said product container such that said
dispensing tube slot and said dispensing tube port must occupy a
particular orientation with respect to said lug.
2. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a suction pump
member fitted onto said cap, said suction pump member including a
piston portion and providing said dispensing tube port.
3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said piston portion of said
suction pump member extends through said actuator aperture of said
collar key.
4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said collar key includes at
least one keying member selected from male members and female
members, said at least one keying member being circumferentially
offset from said dispensing tube slot such that said at least one
keying member must occupy a particular orientation with respect to
said lug on said product container.
5. A method for locating a dispensing tube port of a pump relative
to a cross section of a product container in a combination product
container and pump, the method comprising: providing a product
container including: a neck providing an open top, and a lug
proximate a base of the neck; fitting a pump within the open top,
the pump including a piston; fitting a cap over the pump to secure
the pump to the container, wherein the cap includes a piston
aperture and the piston of the pump extends through the piston
aperture; fitting a suction pump member onto said cap, said suction
pump member including a piston portion and providing a dispensing
tube port, wherein the piston of the pump extends into the piston
portion of the suction pump member; and fitting a collar key over
the suction pump member and the cap, the collar key including: an
actuator aperture, the piston extending through the actuator
aperture, a dispensing tube slot, the dispensing tube port
extending through the dispensing tube slot, and a notch
circumferentially offset from the dispensing tube slot, the notch
being fitted over the lug of the product container such that the
dispensing tube slot and the dispensing tube port must occupy a
particular orientation with respect to the lug.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/188,266, filed Jul. 25, 2005, which is
incorporated herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to product
dispensing systems, and, more particularly, relates to counter
mounted dispensing systems, wherein refill product containers are
mounted in the dispensing system under a counter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Dispensing systems typically include mechanisms for
selectively receiving refill product containers so that, when the
product container mounted in the dispensing system is empty, it can
be removed and replaced by a new, full product container. In
counter mounted dispensing systems, the removal of an empty product
container and replacement thereof by a new product container can be
very difficult. The individual removing the old product container
and installing the new one must either due so blindly, by reaching
under the counter and removing and installing by feel alone, or
must get down below the counter to be able to view the elements
involved in the removal and installation. Additionally, the product
containers and the mechanisms for their selective receipt are
typically placed in tight quarters, most often between a sink basin
and one or more walls. Thus, even if the individual bends down
below the counter to view the elements, manipulating those elements
might be difficult.
[0004] In the prior art, cylindrical refill product containers are
provided, and they generally are secured to the elements of the
dispensing system through relative rotation, i.e., the refill
product container is rotated relative to the container-receiving
elements of the dispensing system in order to be selectively
installed or removed therefrom. While the cylindrical shape of the
refill product containers allow them to be rotated in these tight
quarters, it should be appreciated that they do not provide a
maximum refill container volume, inasmuch as a refill container
with a square cross-section having sides equal to the diameter of
the cross-section of a cylindrical container would, assuming they
are of the same height, provide a larger volume for the product
held in the container. However, in such tight quarters, containers
of square or rectangular cross-section might not be permitted to
rotate. If provision could be made for their selective receipt,
refill product containers having rectangular cross-sections would
be preferred, because they would maximize the utilization of scarce
space and provide more product than the cylindrical
counterpart.
[0005] In light of the dispensing systems provided by the prior
art, a need exists for a counter mounted dispensing system that
provides mechanisms for the installation and removal of refill
containers that are conducive to use even when not being viewed by
the individual using them. There is an additional need for counter
mounted dispensing systems that employ refill product containers of
rectangular cross-section, even though the position of receipt of
the product container is the dispensing system does not allow for
relative rotational movement of the product container in relation
to the position of receipt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of this invention,
improvements are provided in a counter mounted dispensing system
that selectively receives product containers under the counter for
dispensing the product above the counter, wherein the product
container, when received under the counter, is in close proximity
to a wall. Improvements are made by providing a container
receptacle under the counter to define a position of receipt for
the product container, and providing the product container with a
shape such that, at the position of receipt, the product container
cannot be rotated along its vertical axis because, upon such
rotation, the product container would come into contact with a wall
and be thereby forced out of the position of receipt. In accordance
with this improvement, the product container is received in the
container receptacle and held thereby without the need for rotating
the product container.
[0007] In particular embodiments of this invention, particular
structures are provided in a counter mounted dispensing system for
receiving a product container without the need for rotating the
product container relative to other elements of the dispenser.
Thus, in accordance with another embodiment of this invention a
counter mounted dispensing system is provided comprising a product
container having a collar key; a bottom support having an open end
for the insertion of the product container; and a container release
mechanism in the bottle support. The container release mechanism
includes a release ring that is movable between a container support
position and a container release position, and the release ring is
biased to the container support position. At least one protrusion
having a ramped surface and a support surface is provided on the
collar key, and at least one protrusion having a ramped surface and
a support surface is provided on the release ring such that, upon
insertion of the product container into the open end of the bottle
support, the ramped surface of the at least one protrusion on the
collar key contacts the ramped surface of the at least one
protrusion on the release ring and the ramped surfaces interact to
move the release ring against the bias toward the container support
position until the ramped surfaces pass one another and the release
ring is moved back to the container support position by the bias
against the release ring and the support surface on the collar key
rests on the support surface on the release ring such that the
product container is held in the bottle support.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a
counter mounted dispensing system provides means for facilitating
the blind installation of a product container therein. In
accordance with such an embodiment, a counter mounted dispensing
system includes a product container; and a bottle support having an
alignment skirt defining an open end of the bottle support for the
insertion of the product container. The alignment skirt provides a
specific cross-sectional shape, and the product container includes
a body having a complimentary cross-sectional shape such that the
product container may only be inserted into the open end of the
bottle support in a given orientation wherein the cross-sectional
shapes of the body and the bottle support are in the same
orientation. In a specific embodiment, the product container has a
neck, a body, and a shoulder extending from the neck to the body,
and the shoulder contacts the open end of the alignment skirt of
the bottle support, when the cross-sectional shapes of the body and
the bottle support are not in the same orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a counter mounted dispensing
system in accordance with this invention, shown as it might be
mounted to a counter;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the counter
mounted dispensing system of FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 in
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottle support of the
dispensing system;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an assembly diagram of the product container and
pump mechanisms in accordance with a particular embodiment of this
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 shows the product container and pump mechanism of
FIG. 4 as assembled;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collar key used in this
invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a top view of the collar key;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the collar key;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collar key fitted on a
product container over pump mechanisms assembled into the product
container;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view generally representing a an
under-the-counter environment in which a counter mounted dispensing
system of this invention may be mounted;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bottle support that is to
receive a product container, showing the product container out of
proper alignment for such receipt;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bottle support receiving
a product container, the product container being in proper
alignment for such receipt;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the bottle support, showing
an optional lock plate therein for interaction with optional
elements on a collar key;
[0022] FIGS. 14A-C are exploded views of the interaction of a
single protrusion on the collar key with a single protrusion on the
release ring of the bottle support, it being appreciated that the
other protrusions on the release ring and collar key interact
similarly, to selectively retain a production container in the
bottle support.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a counter mounted dispensing
system in accordance with this invention is shown and designated by
the numeral 10. In FIG. 1, system 10 is shown as it might be
mounted to a counter C. System 10 includes product container 12
holding product P to be dispensed when product container 12 is
properly mounted in system 10. Generally, the product P held within
container 12 will be a liquid or other generally flowable material
that can be pumped against gravity to be dispensed. Container 12 is
received in bottle support 14, and dispensing head 16 is secured to
bottle support 14 at connector 15, preferably without the need for
rotating bottle support 14 relative to head 16. An extension 17 of
head 16 telescopes into connector 15 until apertures (not shown) in
extension 17 align with apertures 19 (only one is viewed in FIGS. 1
& 3) and lock pin 21 is inserted therethrough (FIG. 3). Pumping
mechanism 18 is secured to container 12 and actuated to dispense
product P. The present invention is particularly concerned with
hand soap and hand sanitizing dispensers, and therefore, it should
be appreciated that the product P may be dispensed as either a
liquid or foam, according to the particular type of pump mechanism
employed. Virtually any type of pump mechanism 18 may be employed,
and, thus, undue emphasis should not be placed on the particular
pump mechanism shown in the figures and disclosed herein.
[0024] Dispensing head 16 includes plunger 20, which is pressed
downwardly in the direction of arrow A to push pump actuator 22 to
operate pump mechanism 18 to force product P through dispensing
tube port 24 (FIG. 4) and dispensing tube 26 of pump mechanism 18,
up and out of spout 28, in the direction of arrow B. More basic or
more complicated designs of pump mechanisms and dispensing heads
and pump actuators may be employed, as these elements are only of
concern in a particular embodiment of this invention. The main
focus of this invention is on the concepts relating to the receipt
of a product container in a bottle support, particularly in the
environment of a counter mounted dispensing system that is mounted
in close proximity to a wall. Initially, the elements of the
counter mounted dispensing system are disclosed, and the advantages
realized when mounting the system close to a wall are disclosed
thereafter.
[0025] Bottle support 14 is shown alone in FIG. 3, and includes
neck 30, dispensing head connector 32, and alignment skirt 34.
Alignment skirt 34 provides open end 36 for the insertion of
container 12, and a container release mechanism generally
designated by the numeral 38 and located at neck 30 serves to
support container 12 when it is fully inserted into bottle support
14 in an appropriate orientation. Container release mechanism 38
includes release ring 40, which is rotatably mounted at neck 30 and
movable between a container support position and a container
release position. Release ring 40 is normally biased to the
container support position, in the direction of arrow C, by an
appropriate bias force. The bias force is provided here by
compression spring 42, acting between spring plate 44 and ring tab
46A. Alternative biasing means may be employed. Multiple ring tabs
are provided and designated by the numeral 46, and distinguished by
letter designations A and B. A third ring tab exists in the
embodiment shown, spaced substantially equidistant from 46A and
46B, but it cannot be seen in the views shown. Movement of release
ring 40 in the direction of arrow C is limited by contact between
one or more ring tabs 46A, 46B (or the unseen ring tab) and
associated tab stops 48A, 48B (or a stop associated with the unseen
ring tab). The container release position is reached by rotating
release ring 40 in the direction of arrow D, and movement in that
direction is limited by contact between ring tab 46A and spring
plate 44. Ring tab 46A is the preferred tab to access when
manipulating release ring 40, because it is easy to grip both
spring plate 44 and ring tab 46A to squeeze ring tab 46A toward
spring plate 44. Container release mechanism 38 interacts with a
collar key secured on the container 12, over the pump mechanism, to
selectively retain the product container in and release container
12 from bottle support 14.
[0026] Product container 12 and pump mechanism 18 are shown in more
detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. Container 12 includes threaded neck 50
defining an open top 52, which, in accordance with this embodiment,
receives a standard foam pump 54 with a one-way valve dip tube 56.
Foam pump 54 is associated with container 12 by being inserted into
open top 52 with radial flange 58 of foam pump 54 resting on open
top 52. Threaded cap 59 threads onto threaded neck 50, over foam
pump 54, and provides piston aperture 60, through which piston 62
of foam pump 54 extends. Suction pump member 64 snaps onto cap 59
through a snap fit between radial channel 66, in cap 59, and radial
flange (not seen), on the inside diameter of suction pump member
64. Suction pump member 64 is preferably similar to that shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,182 incorporated herein by reference.
[0027] As already mentioned above, the particular type of pump
mechanism 18 is not necessarily pertinent to all aspects of this
invention. Thus, this invention is not to be limited to or by any
particular type of pump mechanism. It should be appreciated that
foaming pumps or non-foaming pumps may be employed, and pumps
employed in this invention need not have suction pump members.
Indeed, it is not absolutely necessary that a pump mechanism be
carried by the product container inasmuch as the pump mechanics may
be provided elsewhere in the dispenser system so long as some type
of access is provided to the contents of the product container.
[0028] Container release mechanism 38 interacts with a collar key
on product container 12 to selectively retain the container in and
release the container from bottle support 14. The collar key is
more particularly disclosed with reference to FIGS. 6-9, wherein it
is shown and designated by the numeral 70. Collar key 70 fits over
suction pump member 64 and cap 59, and provides actuator aperture
72 for piston portion 65 of suction pump member 64. Aperture 72 is
disclosed here as an "actuator" aperture because this aperture lets
actuator 22 (FIG. 2) ultimately actuate the pump mechanism of foam
pump 54 held by container 12. Here, actuator 22 actuates pump 54
through contact with piston portion 65 of suction pump 64, which,
in turn, actuates piston 62 of pump 54, but the invention is not
limited thereto or thereby. Collar key 70 also includes dispensing
tube slot 74 for dispensing tube port 24 and dispensing tube 26
(FIG. 2). Actuator aperture 72 and dispensing tube slot 74 are
numbered individually because they do not necessarily have to be
provided as one aperture in collar key 70, as they are shown in the
figures.
[0029] Collar key 70 is secured to cap 59 by a plurality of
inwardly projecting steps 76 that snap under bottom 78 of cap 59.
More particularly, collar key 70 is slid over cap 59, and the inner
dimensions of collar key 70 are such that beveled surfaces 80 of
inwardly projecting steps 76 intimately contact cap 59 and are
urged outwardly thereby, snapping into place under bottom 78 of cap
59 and being retained by catch surface 81 once steps 76 pass
thereby. It is preferred that this permanently locks collar key 70
onto and over cap 59 and the particular pump mechanism (here 18)
retained thereby. At least one notch 82 on collar key 70 is
provided to fit over at least one lug 84 located at the base of
neck 50 of container 12. It should be appreciated that collar key
70, when fit over lug 84 in this manner, cannot be rotated relative
to container 12, because such rotation would cause notch 82 to dig
into lug 84 and possibly damage container 12, ultimately poking a
hole in lug 84.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 10-12, the manner in which a product
container is received in a bottle support in accordance with this
invention will be shown and disclosed. Bottle support 14 is
retained under counter C such that an individual installing product
container 12 into bottle support 14 must either do so blindly, by
reaching under the counter C and installing by feel alone, or must
get down below the counter to see the elements involved in the
installation. Bottle support 14 and product container 12 are shown
in a preferred mounting position, near a corner of a room, between
sink basin S and walls W1 and W2. It will be appreciated that
product container 12 has a generally rectangular cross-section (but
for its detents) and, with such a shape and in such a position of
receipt as that shown, cannot be rotate along its vertical axis
(represented by the center point drawn on container 12 in FIG. 10)
because, upon such rotation, the product container would come into
contact with one or more of walls W1 and W2 and would be forced out
of the position of receipt. Thus, product container 12 cannot be
configured to be received in bottle support 14 through relative
rotation, as, for example, by the threaded engagement typically
used in the art. A circular cross section would permit relative
rotation, but would necessarily provide a refill container of
lesser volume, as shown at phantom lines in FIG. 10. To increase
the volume of product provided by product container 12 and received
by bottle support 14, product container 12 preferably includes a
rectangular cross section, fits close to a wall when received in
bottle support 14 such that it cannot rotate at that position of
receipt, and is received by bottle support 14 without rotating
product container 12 relative to bottle support 14. Preferably,
product container 12 is simply pushed up into bottle support 14,
and mechanisms interact and move to hold product container 12.
[0031] From the above, it is clear that product container 12 should
preferably be positioned in a given orientation for receipt in
bottle support 14. This is true for receiving product container 12
in a specific orientation relative to walls and sink basins under
the counter, as just disclosed above, and also for receiving
product container 12 in the proper orientation due to structural
features on collar key 70 and neck 30, in order to ensure that the
correct type of product is being dispensed and to ensure that the
dispensing tube 26 and pump piston 62 are properly oriented for
proper actuation of the pump mechanism 18. In FIGS. 11 and 12, it
can be seen that alignment skirt 34 of bottle support 14 includes
detent 86, on at least one sidewall 88, extending to open end 36,
and product container 12 likewise has body 90 that includes detent
92 on a complimentary sidewall such that product container 12 may
only be inserted into open end 36 of bottle support 14 in a given
orientation wherein the cross-sectional shapes of body 90 and
alignment skirt 34 are in the same orientation, i.e., with detent
86 aligned with detent 92. When detents 86 and 92 do not align,
shoulder 94 of product container 12 contacts open end 36 of
alignment skirt 34, and, although product container 12 will not be
received in such an orientation, shoulder 94 provides a rounded
surface that permits the installer to blindly rotate product
container 12 from the position of FIG. 11 to the position of FIG.
12, and, upon reaching the orientation of FIG. 12, product
container 12 will slide up into bottle support 14. With reference
to all FIGS. 10-12, it should be appreciated that product container
12 preferably includes at least one finger grip detent 96 that will
accept an installer's fingers to provide a place for gripping
product container 12 even when very close to a wall, such as wall
W1 or W2.
[0032] During insertion of container 12 into bottle support 14,
dispensing tube 26 must be inserted up through an aperture in the
top of connector 15, and sloped surface 23 (FIG. 2) is provided in
order to urge the flexible dispensing tube 26 toward and through
the aperture. Thus, even the threading of the dispensing tube up
and through the proper channels can be achieved blindly without
squating down below the counter.
[0033] Once properly aligned, product container 12 is pushed
upwardly and collar key 70 is received in neck 30 of bottle support
14. Because pumps can dispense different types of product, collar
key 70 and neck 30 may be "keyed" to one another according to the
type of product or products permitted or intended to be dispensed
from a given dispensing system. Collar key 70 and neck 30 may be
formed with specific cross-sections, as shown at rib 98 on collar
key 70 (FIGS. 6-9), which mates with channel 100 in neck 30 (FIGS.
11, 12). A separate lock plate element may also be employed, as
shown at the numeral 110 in FIG. 13. Lock plate 110 would include
male and/or female members at specific locations, and collar key 70
would include complimentary female and/or male members for mating
with the male and/or female members on lock plate 110, such that
only a given collar key 70 corresponding with a desired type of
product could be received in neck 30 having a given lock plate 110.
This would help with product verification for quality control.
Here, lock plate 110 is shown with male member 112 and collar key
70 is shown with female member 114 at a complimentary location. It
should be appreciated that lock plate 110 may be a separate element
or may be manufactured directly into neck 30.
[0034] The container release mechanism 38 and its interaction with
collar key 70 is disclosed with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14A-C
which show exploded views of the release ring 40 at ring tab 46B
and its interaction with collar key 70 on container 12. During
insertion of product container 12 into bottle support 14, container
release mechanism 38 interacts with protrusions 120A, 120B, 120C
(FIG. 7) on collar key 70 to receive container 12 without the need
for rotating container 12 relative to bottle support 14. As collar
key 70 moves up into neck 30, ramped surfaces 122A, 122B, 122C on
protrusions 120A, 120B, 120C contact ramped surfaces 124A, 124B,
124C on protrusions 126A, 126B, 126C on release ring 40, which is
biased to the position of FIGS. 3 and 12 by spring 42 acting
between spring plate 44 and finger tab 46A extending from release
ring 40. After contact, continued insertion of product container 12
into bottle support 14 causes the various ramped surfaces to push
against one another, forcing release ring 40 in the direction of
arrow E against spring 42. When the ramped surfaces pass one
another, spring 42 forces release ring 40 back to its biased
position, and support surfaces 134A, 134B, 134C of protrusions
126A, 126B, 126C rest under support surfaces 136A, 136B, 136C of
protrusions 120A, 120B, 120C to hold product container 12 in bottle
support 14. Notably, spring 42 causes release ring 40 to move in
the direction of arrow F and "snap" into place once the protrusions
pass each other, and this makes it easy for an installer to hear
that the product container has been properly installed, even
without having to get under a counter and observe the installation.
Product container 12 may be blindly removed from bottle support 14
by feeling for one of finger tabs 46 and moving it against spring
42 to move the support surfaces of the protrusions out of
alignment.
[0035] In light of the foregoing, it should thus be evident that
the present invention provides a counter mounted dispensing system
that substantially improves the art. In accordance with the patent
statutes, only the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail hereinabove, but this invention is
not to be limited thereto or thereby. Rather, the scope of the
invention shall include all modifications and variations that fall
within the scope of the attached claims.
* * * * *